Wire-fence machine.



No. 745,072. PATENTED NOV. 24, 1903. W. N. PARRISH. WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 24. 1903.

10 QHEETS-SHEET 1.

VVJLL IA'M N PAHHISH.

INVENTOR.

WITNESSES:

202K 44" g B v A TTORNE THE NORRIS wzrzns co, Murmur-1a,, WASHINGTON, a.c

,PATENTED NOV. 24, 1903.

W. N. PARRISH. WIRE FENCE MACHINE. APPLIQATION FILED APR. 24, 1903.

16 SHEETSSHBBT 2.

NO MODEL.

WILLIAM N. PAHHISH.

1N VEN TOR A TTORNE Y No. 745,072. 7 w. N. PARRISH;

WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 24. 1903.

'PATENTBD Nov; '24, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

10 SHEETS-SHEET s.

. MLLIAM N. PAHHIEH. WITNESSES: INVENTOR.

-A TTORNE Y.

W. N. PARRISH.

PATENTED NOV. 24, 1903.

WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED APR. 24. 1903.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

THE mamas ums m WILLIAM N PHRHISH.

No. 745,072. PATENTED ov. 24, 1903..

W. N. PARRISH, WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 24. 1903.

N0 MODEL. 10 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

WILLIAM N. FARR IE'H.

INVEN TOR.

W TNESSES dmgv- 6 24/ 7 aky-#75 %ZZM W Z A TTORNE Y.

No. 745,072. PATENTED NOV. 24, 1903. W. N. PARRISH.

WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED APR. 24, 1903.

NO MODEL. 10 SHEETSSHEET 6.

sos2 s2 WILLIAM N. PA 15H. WITNESSES: [NI/ENT #M 72 ATTORNEY.

PATENTED NOV. 24, 1903.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

N0 MODEL.

i 2 mm mu mw MW .0? .fi m? w? wv mw .3 3 N hm *3 v? mm X J vm H $13 F oWILLIAM N PAHRIS'H.

WITNESSES PATENTED NOV. 24, 1908.

WYN. PARRISH.

WIRE FENGE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 24. 1903- 10 SHEETSSHEET 8.

N0 MODEL.

VVJLLIAMM PAHHIS'H [N VEN TOR. B Y W A TTORNE Y.

W/TNESSES.

THE Nonms PETERS c'u. W'Yro-umo WASHINGTON,

No. 745,072. PATENTED NOV. 24, 1903.

W. N. PARRISH. WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 24. 1903.

N0 MODEL. 10 SHEETS-SHEET 9.

ml/LIAM N PAHHISH. WITNESSES: JNVENTOR.

y a A e/Z3 m: uoums PETERS co, Pnoro-umo,wmum-rou. u. c.

No. 745,072. PATENTED NOV. 24, 1903.

' W. N. PARRISH. WIRE'FENOB MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 24, 1903.

N0 MODEL. 10 $iIEETS-SHBET 10.

VVILLIAM N. BQHHISH. WITNESSES: v INVENTOR.

A TTORNE Y.

QUNIIED STATES iatented November 24, 1903 ATnNT FFICEt WILLIAM N.PARRISH, on RICHMOND, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR OF SEVEN- EIGI-ITHS TO ALVA L.KITSELMAN AND DAVID M. KITSELMAN, oF MUNoIE, INDIANA, AND CHARLES E.SHIVELEY AND WILLIAM II. ALFORD, on RICHMOND, INDIANA;

WlRE FENCE MACHINE,

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 745,072, dated November24, 1903-.

Application filed April 24,1903. Serial No. 154,180. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM N. PARRISH, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Richmond, in the county of Wayne and State of Indiana,(whose post-office address is Richmond, Indiana) have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Wire-Fence Machines, of which thefollowing is a specification, which-when taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, forming a part thereof, is sufficiently clear andconcise to enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains tomake and use the same.

My present invention contemplates a radical reconstruction of theconstituent elements of machines of this character, combined with newdevices and operations and mechanical movements, the adoption of oldprinciples with the mechanical elements and operations reduced to theirsimplest propositions, and as a natural sequence accentuating theutilitarian residual benefits and adapting them to subserve the highesteconomic ends.

In this invention my object, broadly speaking, is the provision of animproved machine of the class described which will automatically take inboth the line and stay wires, secure the parts together at the desiredpoints, properly space the meshes, forming a roll of the completedproduct, and repeat the operations as long as the machine is kept inaction.

Another object is to provide a wire-fence machine in which a maximum ofmechanical energetic efficiency will be developed with a minimum ofpower applied and at the same time providing a machine composed of aminimum of mechanical parts consistent with the work which it is adaptedto perform which will be neat, artistic, and attractive in appearance,compact and symmetrical in proportions, strong and durable inconstruction, positive in action, and capable of a wide scope ofusefulness and efficiency.

Another object is the provision of a wirefence machine composed ofinterdependent and cooperating elements so arranged and combined as toproduce an unvaryiug perfectly constructed product and at the same timeperforming the work more rapidly than has heretofore been attained.

Still another object is to provide an improved Wire-fence machine whichinvolves simplicity of construction and operation, in which the greatestpossible efficiency or working power is secured with a minimum of motivepower applied thereto, and whereby the operator will be enabled tocontrol its operations, so that its Work may be changed or shiftedwhendesired with certainty and precision.

Other objects and specific advantages of my invention will appear'fromthe following specification, from the accompanying drawings, forming apart thereof, and as colligated, in the claims hereunto appended.

In carrying out the general objects referred to by the construction andarrangement constituting the present invention I arrange the variousdevices and several parts and the several essential elements inapproximately that is, substantially-progressive succes sion-that is tosay, at one operation and with but one movement of the operator toproduce the predetermined results and without sub stantial or prolongedintervals between any two general effects.

The distinctive features of my present invention, briefly stated,co'nsistofasubstantial framework; a series of novel twister-heads, andthe method and manner of operating same; the mechanism for inserting thestaywires and for cutting them off at the proper point; the gate forautomatically contacting with the faces of the twister-heads; thebulldowser for advancing, crimping, and shaping the product; the feedingmechanism; the tensions; the mechanism for receiving and rolling thefinished product, and the shafts, pulleys, cams, and pitmen foroperating said parts in order that the work of each may be performedwith unanimity and precision.

My invent-ion consists in a wire-fence machine embodying new and usefulfeatures and details of construction and relative disposition of theseveral parts, substantially as particularly described elsewhere in thisspecification, and in the legitimate combinations herein set forth.

The simplicity of my invention, together with its positiveness of actionand effectiveness and efficiency of the resultantoperations, will appealto any one familiar with the management and maintenance of machines ofthis character, and while I am aware that wire-fence machines of asomewhat similar character have been constructed, yet in my opinion theyall more or less lack that positiveness of action and adaptation andintermutual relationship of the several elements which shouldcharacterize machines of this kind, and in my opinion the crux of thewhole matter lies more particularly in what has been heretofore theinability of providing a series of twister-heads of the propermechanical construction to produce commensurate results in a simple andpositive manner. This trouble I have overcome in the construction hereinshown and described, and as a result it will be apparent that a higherand better grade of the finished product will be the result and at areduced cost of production.

In this construction I have attempted to cordinate, systemize, andharmonize a great variety of movements and to bring into line wit-h thegeneral scheme of operation a number of important mechanical movementswhich heretofore have had a more or less independent existence and powerof initiative in order that in the operation there will be no discordantelements.

One manner of carrying out the invention and that which in practice hasbeen found most desirable is illustrated in the accompanying drawings,in which- Figure l is a front elevation of my machine. Fig. 2 is an endview of the right-hand end of my machine. Fig. 3 is an. end view of theleft-hand end of my machine. Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of the machine.Fig. 5 is a detail, partlyin section, showing one of the twisterspositioned, also the cam for moving the fingers rearward and anelevation of a portion of the gate. Fig. -6 is a detail, partly inhorizontal section, showing one of the twisters, a portion of the gate,and the operation of the wabble-wheel and arm. 'Fig. 7 is a detailshowing the face of twister-head and a linewire positioned thereacross.Fig. 8 is a view similar to that shown in the preceding view showing oneof the movements in connecting the stay and the line wires. Fig.9 is adetail showing one position of the fingers of the twisters in connectingthe line and the stay wires. Fig. 10 is a view similar to the precedingview showing another position of the fingers. Fig. 11 is a longitudinalsectional view of a twister head and fingers, showing a loop formed inthe line-wire thereby. Fig. 12 is a faceview of all the twisters,showing the line-wires, manner of inserting the staywires, and a portionof the finished product. Fig. 13 is a detail showing a line-wire andmanner in which the stay-wires are connected theretoat each end. Fig. 14is a detail showing the tie or manner in which the stay-wire andtheline-wires are united at their points of intersection. Fig. 15 is adetail showing a portion of the rack and cam for moving same to revolvethe twisters intermittently. Fig. 16 is a detail showing the three-partor triple cam and mechanism for contacting the wheels for shooting thestay-wires. 7 Fig. 17 is a detail of same parts shown in the precedingView taken at right angles thereto. Fig. 18 is a detail cross-sectionshowing the mechanism for operating, opening, and closing the gate. Fig.19 is a detail showing the device for gripping the ends of thestay-wires and means for the excision of the stay-wires to properlength. Fig. 20 is a detail showing the device for twisting the ends ofthe stay.- wires around the outside or end line-wires. Fig. 21 is adetail upper end view of the device shown in Fig. 20. Fig. 22 is adetail showing only slight modifications of that shown in Fig. 7. Fig.23 is a detail showing only. slight modifications of that shown in Fig.8. Fig. 24 is a detail showing the cam and arm for moving the yokesforward in the proper time. Fig. 25 is a detail showing the mechanismfor operating the fingers for gripping and holding the ends of thestay-wires and the arm for the excision of the ends of the stay-wires.

Similar indices refer to and denote like parts throughout the several views of the the right and 2 the left end members of the main frame of mymachine, by which the va-.

rious parts are supported, said parts being connected by various crossmembersas, for instance, the member 3, located at the lower frontcorner, carrying the tension devices, and the member 4, locatedcentrally of the front of the machine, forming the I-shaped bed-platefor carrying some of the principal devices of my machine, as willelsewhere appear herein.

Mounted horizontally across the outside of the end member 2 is the mainoperating-shaft 5, carried revolublyin the boxings 6 and '7 and shown inFig. 8. To the rear end of the shaft 5 is secured a pulley-wheel 8, bywhich said shaft may be continuously revolved. The numeral 9 representsa slide for throwing my machine into and out of gear, operative byhandles accessible from both the front and rear of the machine, whichoperates a friction-gear within the wheel 8, of any wellknownconstruction.

On the shaft 5, between the boxings 6 and 7, is secured a pinion 10,meshing with-the larger gear-wheel 11 immediately below it. t

.Below the shaft 5 and parallel therewith is the secondary shaft 12,carried in the boxings 13 and 14, as shown in Fig. 3, on which shaft ismounted the gear-wheel 11, above referred to. On the shaft 12, betweenthe wheel 11 and the boxing 13, is secured a right-angular spiralgear-wheel 15, meshing at right angles with a similar spiral gear-wheel16,10- cated immediately below it. The gear-wheel 16 is secured to thelongitudinal shaft 17, which shaft extends between the members 1 and 2,in which it is revolubly mounted, and is supported in its center by theboxing 18, which latter is secured to the center post 19.

The above parts constitute, primarily, the basic parts of my machine,which carry and operate the several specific devices which I will nowrefer to.

I have shown a machine adapted for nine line-wires, although it isapparent that it may be adapted for a greater or less number ofline-wires, as desired.

In Fig. 1 are shown the tensions, one for each line-wire, mounted on themember 3, each of the tensions consisting of two stationaryrevolubly-pivoted grooved pulleys 20 and 21, pivoted in hangers 22, anda movable pulley 23, carried horizontally by a screw operative by thecross-bars 24.

The numeral represents the line-wires of the fence to be formed in themachine.

It will be apparent that as the line-wires are drawn from their sourceof supply their tension to the machine may be regulated by turning thecross-bars 24 as desired.

The b'ttZZd0wser.-This device is shown in elevation partly in Figs. 1and 4, and an end view thereof is shown in Fig. 3. Rising from the upperportions of the members 1 and 2 are hangers 26 and 27, respectively,carrying the respective U-shaped bearings 28 and 29, and revolublymounted in the bearings 28 and 29 is a shaft 30, which carries thebulldowser. Mounted on the shaft 30, outside the member 1, is the doubleratchet and pulley wheel 31. (Shown in Figs. 1 and 2.) The bulldowserproper consists of a plurality of wheels 32, (shown in Fig. 3,) securedto the shaft 30 and revolved thereby. The peripheries of the wheels 32carry pairs of strips 34 longitudinally thereacross, which strips havepairs of fingers 33 extending up therefrom, each pair of fingersdisposed according to the size of the mesh to be formed in the fence andon a line with the line-wires 25. Between each pair of strips 34 and thefingers 33 is a horizontal slidable bar 35, extending out therefrom atthe right-hand end. The right-hand end of the bars 35 are somewhatlonger than the strips 34, and on these eXtensions are mounted smallrollers 37. (Shown in Figs. 1 and 4.) Secured to the inside of themember 1 is a deflector 38, against which the rollers 37 are adapted tocontact to move the bars 35 endwise toward the opposite end of themachine, by which the line-wires lying between a pair of fingers 33 anda pin 36 are crimped and equalized and also affording means by which theline-wires are gripped by the bulldowser in order that it may advancethe line-wires the proper space for a mesh.

The sp00Z.--On the rear points of the members l and 2 is mounted arevoluble spool of any suitable construction carried by the shaft 39,Figs. 2 and 3. The right-hand end of the shaft 39 is provided with apulley-wheel 49, Fig. 2, over which passes the belt 41, which belt alsopasses over the pulley 42 on the shaft 30, by which the spool isrevolved in the proper predetermined time. In order to control thetension of and tighten the belt 41, I have provided an idle wheel 43,which wheel 43 is carried on the outer end of the arm 44, the latterbeing mounted at one end around the shaft 39. Plvoted on the outside ofthe member 1 (shown in Fig. 2) is a small handoperative shaft 46, onwhich is secured the ratchet wheel 45, with a pawl 47, adapted to retainthe shaft 46at the point desired. A cord, cable, or the like is securedto the outer end of the arm 44 and to the shaft 46, by which the tensionof the idle pulley 43 may be controlled.

lllecms for advancing the bulldowser-Referring to Fig. 2, the bulldowseris advanced step by step by revolving the double-ratchet wheel 31. Thisis accomplished by the double arms 48 and 49, pivoted at their innerends on the shaft 30, but not revolved thereby, the outer end of theformer being ben'tinward in order that its outer portion may beimmediately above the arm 49. A set-screw 50 in the arm 48 is sodisposed that its point may contact with the arm 49 in order that thearms 48 and 49 may be retained a predetermined distance apart. Eyes inalinement with each other are formed in the outer parts of the arms 48and 49 to receive the bolt 51, which bolt passes downward through saideyes. Placed loosely around the bolt 51, below the arm 49, are two heavywashers 52 and 53, between which is placed a gasket 53, and adjoiningthe lower washer on the bolt 51 are one or more adjustingnuts 54, asshown. Secured to the outer left-hand end of the shaft 17 is a slottedfinger 55. Pivoted to the finger 55 is an arm orpitman 56,adjustablyconnected by the bolt 57. The upper end of the arm 56 ispivoted to the arm 49 near its outer end. Near the outer end of the arm48 is pivoted a pawl 58, (shown in dotted lines,) whose point is adaptedto engage in the outer rack of the ratchet-wheel 31. A retainingpawl 59is pivoted to the member 1, which engages in the inner rack of theratchet-wheel 31 to prevent backlash of the ratchet-wheel. As hasalready been inferred, the ratchet wheel 31 is provided with a doublerack, one on each side,with the belt-space therebetween, the outer rackappearing in the drawings in Fig. 2 and the inner rack in Fig. 1, saidracks being integral parts of the wheel 31. It will now be seen thatwhen the shaft 17 is revolved the finger 55 will be carried aroundthereby. The arm 56 will act as a pitman,

carrying the arms 48 and 49 alternately up and down, thus causing thepawl 58 to engage and advance the wheel 31, carrying the bulldowserrevolubly therewith, and that while the pawl 58 is retreating for a newbite the pawl 59 will hold what has been gained.

Main twisting mechanism.-I now come to one of the most importantmechanisms of my machine, which I term the main twisting mechanisms,which in this instance are seven in number. (Shown most clearly in Figs.5, 6, 8, 9, 10, and 11.) These consist each of a head 60,with an openchannel 61 across its face and an open oblong cavity 62 in the center ofthe face. 63 represents the shank of the twister, with a roundlongitudinal opening therethrough, which opens centrally into theopening 62. On the rear ends of the shanks 63 is a gear-pinion 64, whichmay be integral thereof, and immediately back of the latter is achannel-wheel 65, which is mounted 011 the stem 66,'secured thereto bythe bolt 67. Integral of the stem 66 is a finger-head 68 of a size toneatly fill the opening 62, with a U- shaped slot 69, formed into oneside substantially half-Way therethrougl1,as shown in Figs.

9 and 10, and with a channel across its face corresponding and aliningwith the channel 61 when the head 68 is fully in the opening 62. Thetwister-heads thus formed are each carried in a y0ke'70. (Shown in Fig.4.)

Device for revolting the iwz'ster-heads. Mounted slidably on the uppersurface of the lower part of the bed-plate 4 is a transverselydisposedrack 71, Figs. 4, 5, and 15, arranged in suitable guides. One end of therack 71 has a roller pivoted on its side which is adapted to be carriedin the cam-channel 72, formed in the face of the cam-wheel 73, as shownin detail in Fig. 15, which wheel 73 is carried revolubly by the shaft12 and by which the rack 71 is given a differential lateral movement toturn the twisters in the proper time revolubly back and forth. It willbe observed that as the wheel 73 revolves there will be a space of timewhen the rack 71, and consequently the. twisters, will be quiescent orat a dead-stop sufiicient in which to shoot the stay-wire 83 across thefaces of the twisters through the channels 61. In order to constitutethe channels 61 continuous from end to end of the machine, I have pro-Vided guides 74 between each two of the heads and at each end withlateral channels in their facescorrespondingwith thechannels 61. Also Ihave provided a gate consisting of a transverse bar 75, Figs. 1 and 5,on alinement with and adapted to contact with said channels, and thusmaking the channels in the nature of a barrel.

Thegate.The bar 75 is carried by the arms 76, and the lower ends ofthese arms are adjustably connected to the rocking shaft. 77. Secured toand extending down from the shaft 77is an arm 78, pivoted to the lowerend of which and extending rearward is the arm 79, whose rear end iseccentrically mounted on the shaft 17by a yoke, on which shaft 17 isalso secured the cam-wheel 80. At the proper point on the arm 79 ismounted a roller 81, as shown. Secured at one end to the lower end ofthe arm 79 is a helical spring 82, the other end of said spring beingsecured to some stationary point, as the shaft 115, in order to keep thespring intension, said spring tending normally to keep the gate openthatis to say, to keep the bar 75 from contact with the faces of thetwisters 60 and the guides 74. As the wheel 80 revolves it will beapparent that the cam thereon will engage the roller 81, and while theroller 81 is traveling on the periphery of the cam the gate will beclosed, as in Fig. 18, (which will be the period at which the stay-wire83 is being shot through said channel,) while at the balance of therevolution of the wheel 80 the spring 82 will be free to retain the gateopen, as in Figs. 5 and 6.

With an understanding of the above-named construction I now come to thedisposition of the line-wires 25. This is accomplished by bringing theline-wires from their source of supply through the tensions at the frontof the machine, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, then upward through theguides 84, (shown in Figs. 1, 5, and 12,) through the slots 69 in theheads 68, said slots being turned to the right, as shown in Fig. 9, thenupward over the bulldozer between a pair of fingers 33 and a pin 36, asshown in Fig. 3, then downward to the spool to which they are secured.The two outside line-wires 25 in place of passing through guides 84 andtwister-heads are especially provided for, as shown in Fig. 1, whichwill be explained elsewhere hereinafter. The linewires being threaded inthe machine, as just explained, it will now be apparent that if thefinger-head 68 be drawn into the opening 62 and the heads 60 be given ahalf-turn a loop will be given to the line-wire around the finger of thehead 68, as shown in Fig. 10, and also that when in this position thechannel in the face of theheads 68 will be in alinement with thechannels 61. It will now be observed that if the gate be closed,contacting the bar 75 with said channels, if a stay-wire 83 be insertedendwise from the left-hand end of the machine into the said channel 61,the channel in the guides 74, and the channels across the faces of thefinger-heads (all of which are in alinement with each other at thispoint, the gate being closed) that said stay-wire will of necessity passthrough the eye of the loops formed in the line-wires above referred to.Should the gate now be opened, the finger-heads pressed forward andgiven a quarter-turn, so that the slot 68 will face upward, and ifimmediately thereafter the bulldowser. should advance the line-wiresupward the width of the mesh to be formed, it will be seen that theloops will be withdrawn from the fingers of the heads 68 and thestay-wire will be locked to the line-wires at each intersecting-point,except the ends, which are especially provided for wires in connectionwith the crimpers on the shaft 17, on which it is mounted.

bulldowser above referred to will equalize and close the loops, causingthe ties to assume the appearance represented in the upper portion ofFig. 12 and in detail in Fig. 14.

I will now refer to the devices for securing the ends of the stay-wiresto the end linewires, which devices are shown in Fig. 12 and in detailin Figs. 19, 20, and 21. These two devices being of identicalconstruction, a description of one will suffice for both. These devicesconsist, primarily, of a vertically-disposed barrel 85, carried in asuitable hanger, with a longitudinal opening therethrough to allow theoutside linewire to pass therethrough, as indicated. On the lower end ofsaid barrel is a spiral gear-wheel 86, meshing at right angles with asimilar spiral gearwheel 87, by which the barrel is revolved. Thegear-wheels 87 are mounted on each end of the shaft 88, which shaft isrevolubly mounted in the three hangers 89, which shaft 88 is carried bythe gear-wheel 90, secured thereto, as in Fig. 1. The gear-wheel 90meshes with the large gear-wheel 92, which latter is secured to theshaft 93, and the shaft 93 is mounted in the boxing 94, which latter issecured to the front face of the post 19, as shown in Fig. 1. Secured tothe shaft 93 is the pinion 95, which meshes with the gearwheel 96, andthe wheel 96 is carried by the In the up per end or face of the barrel85 from the center outward on one side is a radiating slot 91, as shownin Figs. 20 and 21. By the devices just described it is manifest that,the end wires 25 extending upward through and beyond the barrels 85, thecenters of the barrels being slightly to one side of the path the wiremust travel to enter said channel, the path of the wire 83 being acrossthe faces of the barrels 85, that after the wire 83 has been positionedin said channel the fingers 120 will at once be drawn down and willpress the ends of the wire 83 against the faces of the barrels 85. Thebarrels 85 continuously revolving, the wire 83 will engage in the slotsin the ends of said barrels, and by the revolutions of the barrels theends of the wire 83 will be twisted around the end wires 25in the1111111161 shown in Figs. 12 and 13, after which the fingers 120 willrise into position for another stay-wire to be inserted in said channel.As the fingers 120 descend to grip the ends of the stay-wire the upwardprojection on the left-hand arm 123 will sever the stay-wire to the leftof the adjoining arm 120, as will hereinafter be explained.

The stay-wire-insertt'ng mechanism-This mechanism is shown most clearlyin Figs. 1, 3, and 12 and consists, primarily, of two gripping-wheels 97and 98, carried in the casing or frame 99 common to both wheels, saidframe being mounted to the left end of the main frame of the machine.The grippingwheel 97 is secured to and continuously revolved by the mainshaft 5, and the wheel 98 is revolved by the wheel 97. The front half ofthefaces or peripheries of the wheels 97 and 98 are provided withgearings adapted to mesh with each other, as indicated in Fig. 12, inorder that the wheel 98 may be revolved continuously by the wheel 97.The smooth face portions of the peripheries of the wheels 97 and 98 areadapted to be contacted with each other, or nearly so, by means of thewheel 98 being eccentrically mounted, as shown in Fig. 1, the smoothfaces of the wheels 97 and 98 being movable thereby toward and away fromeach other by the movement of the outer end of the arm 100 up or down,which is accomplished automatically at determined intervals by themechanism which I will describe. Mounted on the shaft 12 is a three-partadjustable cam-wheel 101, (shown in Fig. 3 and in detail in Figs. 16 and17,) so constructed that the cam portion thereof may be adjusted to varythe time of contact of the faces of the wheels 97 and 98 to meet thevarious requirements to vary the length of the stay-wires. Numeral 102represents ashort shaft mounted on the inside of the member 2 by asuitable hanger or boxing. Extending up from the rear end of the shaft102 is an arm 103, with its upperpointcurved inward and provided with acontact-roller 104, as shown in Fig.16,which roller travels on theperiphery of the camwheel 101. To the forward end of the shaft 102 issecured the arm 105, which extends out toward, below, and oppositelydisposed to the arm 100. Eyes opposite to each other are formed throughthe ends of the arms 100 and 105, Fig. 1. Said arms 100 and 105 areresiliently connected by a bolt 106, and between the eyes of said armsand around the center portion of said bolt is a helical cushion-spring107. Secured in an eye formed on the under side of the outer end of thearm 105 is a helical spring 108, the lower end of said spring beingattached to the stationary bar 109, which latter is secured to theoutside face of the member 2, the object of the spring 108 being tonormally keep the smooth faces of the wheels 97 and 98 apart. It willnow be seen that as the shaft 12 revolves, carrying the cam-wheel 101,that as the roller 104 strikes the cam of the wheel 101 the outer end ofthe arm 105 will be thrown up and that this will throw up the end of thearm 100 against the resiliency of the spring 107, thereby causing thesmooth faces of the wheels 97 and 98 to contact, or nearly so, atpredetermined intervals. The contacting points of the faces of thewheels 97 and 98 are on alineinent with the channels in the twistersabove referred to, whereby as the end of the wire 83 may be insertedbetween the wheels 97 and 98 and will be gripped thereby then the roller104: is on the cam of the wheel 101, the length of said cam being soadjusted that the interval of contact of the roller 104: therewith willbe the same as that required in which to shoot the izc end of thestay-Wire to the right-hand end of said channel. above referred to.

Extending outward from the frame 99 and integral thereof is a projection110, Fig. 1, carrying a hollowguide 111, through which guide thestay-wire 83 is fed to the machine through between the wheels 97 and 98.A series of oppositely-disposed rollers (not shown) are placed betweenthe inner end of the guide 111 and the point of contact of the wheels 97and 98, forming a tension similar to that formed by the tensionsconsisting of the pulleys 20, 21, and 23, above referred to. The numeral112 represents a tube-guide extending from the stationary frame of theleft barrel 85 to near the contact-point of the wheels 97 and 98. By theabove it will be seen that the wire 83 may be inserted in the guide 111,its point being beyond the contact-point of the faces of the wheels 97and 98, and that when the arm 100 is pulled down the wire 83 will begrasped and by the revolutions of the wheels 97 and 98 will be shotthrough the guide 112 and through said channel.

The wheel 98 is eccentrically mounted on the shaft 113, whose forwardend is pivoted in the frame 99, and the rear end is pivoted in the upperportion of the boxing, (repre sented by the numeral 114.) I

The yokes 70 are permanently secured to the rocking shaft 115, Fig. 4,the upper points of-the yokes 70 entering on each side in the channelformed in the wheel 65, as seen in Fig. 5. Also secured to the shaft 115is an arm 116, Fig. 24, with a contact-roller on its outer end. Securedto the shaft 17 is a camwheel117, on whose periphery the roller of thearm 116 is adapted to travel'and by which the yokes 70 are movedforwardthat is, to the position shown in Fig. 5. Also mounted on saidshaft 17 is a cam-wheel 118, and extendingdown from the shaft 115 is adouble arm 119, straddling a segment of the camwheel 118, with a rollermounted in .the forks to travel on the periphery of the cam-wheel 118,the object of this being to draw the yokes rearward at each revolutionof the cam. The double arm 119 may be integral of and be a downwardextension of one of the yokes 70, as indicated in Figs. 4 and 5.

The fingers for gripping the ends of the stay-wires are shown in Figs.1, 2, 12,19, and 20, and means for operating same is shown in detail inFig. 25, one of these devices being located at each end of the machineopposite the ends of the channel above referred to and are of similarconstruction. Said fingers are represented by the numerals 120 in saidviews and are mounted on the outer sides of the boxings, which carry thebarrel-twisters 85, by studs 121 and 122, as seen in Fig. 19. Paralleland contacting with the fingers 120 are arms 123, Fig. 20, pivoted bythe bolts 124. In the lower end of the fingers 120 is an angular slot125, in which operates a stationary stud 126. Pivoted to the lower endof the arm 123 is a rearwardly-projecting arm 127, Fig. 25, with ayoke-strap on its rear end surrounding the shaft 17. At a point on thearm 127 is mounted a roller 128, and on the shaft 17 is secured thewiper-cams 129, the inner projecting faces of which cams will contactwith the rollers 128 at each revolution of the shaft 17 and draw thearms 127 rearward, thus causing the points of the fingers 120 to bepulled down bringing the ends of the stay-wire into engagement with theends of the barreltwisters, as will be clearly seen from the drawings.On the left-hand end of the machine the arm extends upward above andback of the path of the stay-wire, as shown in Fig. 20, and as thefinger 120 is pulled down on the staywire this upward projection of thearm 123 will pass forward and downward over the opening in the platethrough which the linewire passes and will sever or cut off the staywireat this point.

On the shaft 17 at the point shown is secured the wabble-wheel 131(shown in Figs. 4 and 6) and pivoted on the under side of the bed-plate4 is an arm 132, reaching rearward, with downwardly projecting studstherein adapted to straddle the rim of said wabble-wheel. The forwardend of the arm 132 is adapted to play in the forks of the block133, theblock 133 being secured to the horizontal slidable bar 134, which restson and is carried by the lower forward chime of the bed-plate. Thewabble-wheel is geared to move the guides 84 to the left in the propertime to cause the line-wires to enter the slots 69 of the finger-headsand to then move them to the right when this is accomplished.

There are no natural divisions between the various mechanisms described,they all being operated and controlled from a single source of power,and the various gears, cams, levers, arms, fingers, and pulleys are sonicely proportioned that the various operations follow each other inproper order and with certainty and precision and forming a mechanicalconstruction of the several mechanisms and parts to produce a singleresult.

In consideration of the machine as a whole the twister-s andstay-wire-inserting mechanism, as before intimated, may be regarded asconstituting the main or important features of the machine and the othermechanisms and devices as auxiliary thereto, the combined mechanisms anddevices acting in'harmony for the accomplishment of a single definiteprimary result-that is, the formation of a woven-wire fabric.

From the above description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, it will be seen that I have produced an improved wire-fencemachine embodying the objects otherwhere referred to in thisspecification.

While I have illustrated and described the best means now known to mefor carrying.

IIO

in such details as would suggest themselves to the ordinary mechanicwould clearly fall Within the limit and scope of my invention.

Thetermsin,out,right,left,vertically, horizontally, and other similarterms are used for convenience of description, and it is not intended bythe use of such terms to limit the arrangement and operation of theseveral parts to the relative positions indicated.

Having now fully shown and described my invention and the best meansforits construction and operation to me known at this time, what I claimas new is- 1. In a wire-fence machine having a main shaft at right anles to the machine and across one end thereof operating con tinuously bypower, a gripping-wheel carried on one end of said shaft, a secondgripping-wheel eccentrically mounted below the first namedgripping-wheel and revolved thereby,athreepart adjustable cam secured onsaid main shaft, means for moving the second grippingwheel toward andfrom the first gripping- Wheelintermittently by said cam for grippingand releasing a wire which may be between the faces of saidgripping-wheels, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a wire-fence machine, the combination of a supporting-frame, aseries of twisterheads operated by power to revolve vertically inunison, channels formed across the faces of the twister-heads, a gatefor contacting with the faces of the twister-heads, line-wires extendingvertically across the faces of the twister-heads, a mechanism forshooting the stay-wires horizontally through the channels of thetwister-heads when said channels are in alinement, means for turning thetwisterheads to unite the line-Wire and the stay-wire at theirintersecting points, and a bulldowser for spacing and carrying theline-wires and for carrying forward the finished product, substantiallyas shown and described.

3. In a wire-fence machine, the combination of the supporting-frameworkcarrying a horizontally-arranged series of twister-heads adapted torevolve vertically, agroove formed across the face of each twister-head,a gate for contacting with the faces of the twisterheads forming acontinuous channel through which a stay-wire may be inserted, and alinewire passing vertically across the face of each of thetwister-heads, and means for engaging the wires by the tongue of thetwister-heads and means for revolving the twister-heads to lock thestay-wires to the line-wires at the intersections, substantially asdescribed and for the purposes set forth.

4. An automatic wire fence machine operative by power, having incombination, means for advancing a series of line-wires, tensions foreach of the line-wires, a bulldowser for spacing crimping and advancingthe linewires, means for inserting stay-wires across the line-wires atpredetermined intervals, a series of twister-heads for uniting thestaywires and the line-wires at their points of intersection, a knifefor severing the stay-wires at the proper point, twisters for connectingthe ends of the stay-wires to the outside linewires, and a reel forreceiving and winding the finished product.

5. In a wire-fence machine, a series of line wire twisters each gearedindependent of the others yet adapted to rotate simultaneously by means.of a horizontal oscillating rack, means for shooting a stay-wirethrough the loops formed in the line-wires by said twisters, and meansfor advancing the finished product, substantially as described.

6. In a power-operated wire-fence machine, a series of line-wireLwisters mounted horizontally to move rotatably by a transversedifferential slidable rack meshing with gearwheels in the rear of thetwisters, a cam-wheel for operating said rack, yokes secured to arocking shaft with their upper ends traveling in channels in thefinger-heads, means for rocking said shaft by cams to move the fin--ger-heads back and forth at determined intervals, a pair of gear-wheelsprovided with contactible faces on a line with the channel in thetwisters, means for bringing said wheels together for gripping thestay-Wire and shooting it through said channel, a gate for closing theface of said channel during the interval the stay-wire is being shottherethrough, fingers for holding the ends of the stay-wire and bringingthem into contact with the barreltwisters after the staywire ispositioned in said channel, means for severing the staywire to theproper length, and means for advancing the finished prod uct,allsubstantially as shown and described.

7. In combination with a Wire-fence machine, a series ofhorizontally'disposed twisters operated revolubly and intermittently bya transverse rack, said twisters consisting of a head with an openchannel across its face, an oblong cavity in the center of said face, ashank with a round longitudinal opening therethrough, a gear-pinionsecured on the rear end of said shank, a finger-head mounted in saidcavity, a stem extendingback from the finger-head through said openingthrough said shank, a channel-wheel mounted on the rear end of saidstem, a U-shaped slot formed into one side of the finger-head, a channelformed across the face of the fingerheads, means for moving thefingerheads in and out of their'respective cavities, means for revolvingthe twisters intermittently, means for shooting the stay-wire across thefaces of the twisters and the finger-heads through all of said channels,independent means for securing the ends of the stay-wire to theouterline-wires, and means for advancing the finished product,substantially as described.

8. In combination with a wire-fence machine, a series of twistersintermittently revolved by a rack, fingers movable in and out of theheads, guides carrying vertical linewires, a bar carrying said guides, awabblewheel and an arm operated thereby for actu- 9. In an automaticwire-fence-weaving machine, a supporting-frame having a bed-platethereacross, a series of horizontally-disposed twisters for formingloops in the line-wires, a mechanismforshootingtheline-wires through theloops thus formed, a ratchet-wheel for advancing the bnildowser step bystep and for revolving the spool carrying the finished product, pairs offingers on the periphery of the bulldowser, bars carrying pins slidablymounted between the pairs of fingers, means for moving said bars endwiseto cause said pins to engage and grip the line-wires between saidfingers, and means forautomatically operating the several mechanisms bypower, substantially as shown and described.

10. In a wire-fence machine having a main shaft revolubly mounted acrossone end of the machine, a secondary shaft operated by and at rightangles to the main shaft and extending longitudinally of the machine,agripping-wheel carried on one end of the main shaft, a secondgripping-wheel mounted ec-- ccntrically below the first-namedgrippingwheel on an independent shaft, a three-part adjustable camsecured on the main shaft, an arm secured to the shaft of the secondgripping-wheel for engaging said cam whereby said second gripping-wheelis moved to and from the first grippingwheel at each revolution of themain shaft, all substantially as shown and described and for thepurposes set forth.

11. Ina Wire-fence machine, a series of independent line-wire twistersarranged horizontally and revoluble in unison intermittently by ahorizontal oscillating rack for en gaging and forming loops in theline-wires, means for shooting a stay-Wire horizontally through theloops in the line-Wires, means for severing the stay-wire at the properpoint, means for twisting the ends of the stay-wire around the outsideline-wires, and means for advancingthe finished product, substantiallyas described.

12. In a wire-fence machine carrying a series of line-wireshorizontally, a twister-head for each line-wire adapted to grasp andloop its line wire at predetermined intervals, means for inserting astay-wire through all of the loops, means for severing the staywire fromits-source of supply after being in serted, means for releasing theloops from the twisters after the line-wire has been inserted, and meansfor advancing the line- Wires the distance of the width of the mesh, allsubstantially as shown and described.

13. In a wire-fence'machine operative by power from acontinuously-revolving main shaft, a series of twister-heads havingmovable fingers therein with U- shaped slots formed in said fingers,means for moving the line-wires into said slots, means for partiallyrevolving the twister-heads and fingers to form loops in the line-wires,achannel formed across the twister-heads and fingers, means for formingsaid channel continuous from end to end of the machine, means forinserting a cross or stay wire in said channel through all of saidloops, means for applying tension to the line-Wires and for advancingthem at the proper time, and means for the excision of the stay-wires tothe proper length, substan-' tially as shown and described.

14. An automatic Wire-fence machine having in combination means foradvancing a series of linewires under tension, a bulldowser for spacingcrimping and advancing the line-wires in unison, twister-heads forengaging and forming loops'in the line-wires, means for shooting thestay-wire through the loops. formed in the line-wires, means forexcision of the stay-wire, twisters for connecting each end of thestay-wire to the two outside line-wires, and means for repeatingtheseoperations indefinitely, all substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name to thisspecification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

WVILLIAM N. PARRISH.

Witnesses:

R. E. HANDLE, R. W. RANDLE.

